Meet at the parking area in Alport, G.R.219645, for a walk across fields southwards towards Castle Ring and Anthony Hill, returning via Bradford Dale. For canine attendees, some fields may contain sheep. Some moments of “mudness” are almost certain!

16 stalwarts and 1 dog assembled at the Alport parking, although one person confessed to having nearly gone to Alport Castles by mistake! Torrential rain the day before had laid the groundwork for conditions underfoot, and early morning sunshine attracted the good turnout.

Rain arrived just as we set off, and was accompanied by a strong westerly wind. The Meet leader had carefully reconnoitred two different versions of this walk, and had initially selected a version with the least amount of mud, but had then chosen a third version with a slightly more logical section that remained un-reconnoitred. It was this section that, in the words of the then President, provided the muddiest walk of her life. Judging from the curses and expletives, other people enjoyed it too!

All went well initially, and a coffee break was enjoyed in the shelter of some woodland near Cliff Farm. Here the Meet leader finally put his waterproof on, thus ensuring a virtual cessation in precipitation for the rest of the walk. We passed the water troughs below Anthony Hill, and progressed into un-reconnoitred territory, past Rock Farm, to a moderately sheltered lunch stop next to a minor road (Mawstone Lane).

It was the next section of footpath, so innocently clear on the map, and almost non-existent on the ground, that gave so much “enjoyment” to so many, and ensured that the Meet leader may not live this down for some time. He is very grateful to Sean for hauling Pat out of the bog!

Dry land was eventually achieved, and as if to celebrate, the sun came out and we enjoyed wonderful light as we crossed the meadows to Bradford Dale. The latter provided easy and picturesque walking, with a high level variation at the end. Thanks to everybody for coming, and I’ll try to do better next time (take that as you will!!!).